Detachable table top



June 11, 1963 J. E. MALLETT 3,093,411;

DETACHABLE TABLE TOP Filed May 11, 1962 INVENTOR. JOHN E. MALLETT ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,093,411 Patented June 11, 1963 3,093,411 DETACHABLE TABLE TOP John E. Mallett, 1609 SW. 8th St., Miami, Fla. Filed May 11, 1962, Ser. No. 194,122 2 Claims. (Cl. 297135) This invention relates to tables, and more particularly to a type of table adapted to be fitted upon and supported by the arms of a pair of adjacent arm chairs and is an improvement over my United States Patent 3,017,219.

It is an object of the invention to provide a table of the kind above mentioned which can be easily fitted upon a pair of spaced chairs, without the use of fastening elements or tools. It is an object of the invention to pro vide a table which can be instantly put in operative position on the chairs and which can be readily removed therefrom when not required for use.

Tubular frame chairs, such as are used on lawns and porches, have no means by which articles, such as drinks and refreshments, books and other things, can be rested or supported adjacent to the sitter, so that the use of such chairs under certain circumstances, is unsatisfactory. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a table or tray which can be supported between the arms of two chairs of this kind and which will provide a supporting surface that can be used for writing, for holding food or beverages, for the playing of games and for many other purposes. It is an object of the invention to provide a table or tray which can be readily fitted in operative position on the chairs and easily removed therefrom; which is provided with means by which it may be leveled when supported by inclined chair arms, and which, when fitted in place, will serve to maintain the chairs in a specific spaced relationship while providing a firm and level supporting surface.

The invention further contemplates a detachable table top for fitting engagement upon the arm portions of adjacent chairs, with means to embrace a back rail of the chair, regardless of its contour. A further object of the invention resides in forming means at the forward corners of the table top to level the table top with respect to the forward ends of the arms and also a leveling means carried by the underside of the table top that is shiftable to form an elevating wedge and whereby the rear portion of the table top may be elevated so as to permit the table top to assume a level position.

With these and other objects to be hereinafter set forth in view, I have devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the table or tray attachment applied to a pair of chairs;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the table or tray taken at right angles to FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one end portion of the table.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates the table top, which may be composed of light metal such as aluminum, of wood, plastic or of other suitable material. The opposite side edges 2 of the tray or table 1 are provided with notches or recesses 3 arranged to fit around or embrace the uprights 4 and 5 forming parts of the backs of a pair of tubular frame chairs 6 and 7. These chairs are positioned in spaced-apart side-by-side relation, with the spacing between them being of a distance that enables the uprights 4 and 5 to fit in the notches or recesses 3 as shown in FIG. 1. The spacing between the chairs is also such as to enable channel elements mounted on the bottom of the table or tray 1 to engage with the tubular arms 8 and 9 of the chairs, in a manner to be described.

Each of the channel elements above mentioned, consists of a base strip 10, secured to the bottom of the table or tray 1 by means of screws, nails, rivets or other fastening elements 11, said strip having integrally formed, downwardly-directed parallel flanges 12 forming a channel 13 between them. The channel 13 thus formed is of such a size that one of the arms 8 or 9 of the two chairs 6, 7 seats therein against the outer flange. The strips 10 are attached to the under side of the table or tray adjacent to the opposite side edges 2 of the same and when the channels 13 are fitted over the arms 8 and 9, and the notches 3 are fitted around the uprights 4 and 5, the two chairs will be coupled together by the table or tray and maintained in spaced relationship thereby.

The tubular arms 8 and 9 of chairs of the type shown, tend to slope downwardly and curve toward the rear and since it is desirable to maintain the top of the table or tray level when fitted in place on the chairs, a means is provided for securing that result. S-hiftably mounted within the rear portions of the channels 13 are elongated wedges 15 that extend between the flanges and with the wedges having a pin 16 that extends through slots 16a of the inner flange 12 and with the pin being threaded at its projecting end for the reception of a wing nut 16', whereby the wedges may 'be shifted along the channels 13 for engagement with the usual curved portion 9' of the arms 9 and whereby to elevate the rear portion of the table to a substantially level position. In some instances and dependent upon variation in inclination of the chair arms, a supplemental table-elevating means might be found necessary. For this purpose, a similar slidable wedge 17 is provided at the forward end of each of the channels 13. Each of these wedges are provided at 18 with a pin 18' extending through a slot 19 formed in the inner flanges, the slot permitting a limited sliding movement of the plate. At one end the plate has a tapered surface 20 adapted to slidably contact with the upper curved surface of the chair arm near the forward end of the arm. The pin 18 is threaded at its outer end for a wing nut 18a.

When it is desired to slightly elevate the forward end of the table or tray, either supplemental to or independent of the elevation of the rear end by the wedge 15, the wedges 17 are slidably moved to the required extent, their inclined surfaces 20 acting cam-like against the top of the chair arms to thereby elevate the forward end of the table or tray to bring it to a level position.

Since the table is adapted to be used in connection with various types of chairs, the notches 3 that receive the backs 4 and 5 is of L-shape and means are provided to embrace back rails of varying sizes. In order to do this, each of the back corners of the table tops 1 are provided with L-shaped clamps 21. One leg 22 of the clamps 21 is slotted at 23 to receive a pivot stud 24. The pivot stud has a head that is fixed into the table top and projects upwardly for screw threaded engagement with a wing nut 25 whereby the clamp 21 may be pivotally supported and also slidably supported with respect to the table top thus permitting the leg 26 of the clamp 21 to forcibly engage the rear side of the back members to clamp them into the notches 3, therefore effectively hold the table top against shifting movement when mounted upon a pair of adjacent chairs. The wedges 15 are then shifted along the channels 13 and fixed by the wing nuts 16 and serving to have a camming engagement with the arms 8 and 9 to thereby progressively elevate the table and to adjust the table with respect to the inclination of any of the arms 8 and 9. The table top may be 3 formed of any desirable material, such as aluminum or composition board and the marginal edges of the table are provided with upstanding ribs 29.

The application of the table or tray to a pair of spaced chairs is readily effected by merely fitting the arms 8 and 9 of the chairs into the two channels 13 and by fitting the two notches 3 around the uprights 4 and of the chair backs. If leveling of the table or tray is required and can be attained by raising of the rear portion of the table, the wedges 15 are moved to cause them to bear against the chair arms and bottom of the table or tray, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Should an elevating movement of the front of the table or tray be required to level the table or tray, the wedges 17 can be shifted to the extent required to raise the front part of the table. Thus, either the front or rear of the table can be elevated if and when required.

The device may be economically made of light weight materials. It is easily attached to the chairs Without the use of tools or fastening elements. When fitted in place on the chairs it provides a firm, relatively large supporting surface on which refreshments can be served or games can be played with comfort and convenience. It can be speedily attached to or removed from the chairs when not required and due to its relatively fiat form it is easily portable and can be stored in little space.

Having thus described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced chairs comprising, a table top, downwardly-directed channel members secured on the underside of the table top adjacent to its opposite side edges, each of said channel members being shaped to fit over one of the arms on each of a pair of spaced apart chairs, the arms of the chairs being rearwardly inclined, the table top having notches in its rear corners, said notches fitting around upright portions of the chair backs, pivotally supported and slidable lock means on the table top whereby to embrace and retain the chair backs in the notches, slidable wedges disposed in the channels at their rear portions and between flanges of the channels to have progressive sliding contact with rear curved portions of the arms of the chairs and whereby to elevate the table top with respect to the arms for leveling the table top and supplemental wedge devices slidably fixed within the forward ends of the channels to engage the forward portions of the arms for an additional leveling of the table top, the said wedge devices being provided with bolts that extend through slots formed in one flange of each of the channels, the bolts at their outer ends being threaded for the reception of a wing nut and whereby the wedges may be locked in their wedging engagement with respect to the arms.

2. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced chairs comprising, a table top, downwardly-directed channel members secured on the underside of the table top adjacent to its opposite side edges, each of said channel members being shaped to fit over one of the arms on each of a pair of spaced apart chairs, the arms of the chairs being rearwardly inclined, the table top having notches in its rear corners, said notches fitting around upright portions of the chair backs, pivotally supported and slidable lock means on the table top whereby to embrace and retain the chair backs in the notches, slidable wedges disposed in the channels at their rear portions and between flanges of the channels to have progressive sliding contact with rear curved portions of the arms of the chairs and whereby to elevate the table top with respect to the arms for leveling the table top and supplemental wedge devices slidably fixed within the forward ends of the channels to engage the forward portions of the arms for an additional leveling of the table top, the said lock means being L-shaped, having one leg of the L engaging the rear side of the chair backs for anchoring the chair backs into the notches, the said locking means also being slotted and pivotally connected to the table top whereby the locks may be adjusted to chair backs of varying diameters, a pivot pin carried by the table top and extending through the slots and wing nuts engaging an extended threaded portion of the pins whereby the locks may be fixed in their engagement with respect to the chair backs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 502,990 Perry Aug. 8, 1893 1,919,193 Beiger July 25, 1933 2,194,889 De Lisle Mar. 26, 1940 2,555,130 Harles May 29, 1951 2,804,126 Palmer Aug, 27, 1957 2,836,007 Dodds May 27, 1958 2,865,432 Dearing Dec. 23, 1958 3,017,219 Mallett Jan. 16, 1962 

1. A TABLE OR TRAY FOR MOUNTING UPON A PAIR OF SPACED CHAIRS COMPRISING, A TABLE TOP, DOWNWARDLY-DIRECTED CHANNEL MEMBERS SECURED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TABLE TOP ADJACENT TO ITS OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES, EACH OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS BEING SHAPED TO FIT OVER ONE OF THE ARMS ON EACH OF A PAIR OF SPACED APART CHAIRS, THE ARMS OF THE CHAIRS BEING REARWARDLY INCLINED, THE TABLE TOP HAVING NOTCHES IN ITS REAR CORNERS, SAID NOTCHES FITTING AROUND UPRIGHT PORTIONS OF THE CHAIR BACKS, PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED AND SLIDABLE LOCK MEANS ON THE TABLE TOP WHEREBY TO EMBRACE AND RETAIN THE CHAIR BACKS IN THE NOTCHES, SLIDABLE WEDGES DISPOSED IN THE CHANNELS AT THEIR REAR PORTIONS AND BETWEEN FLANGES OF THE CHANNELS TO HAVE PROGRESSIVE SLIDING CONTACT WITH REAR CURVED PORTIONS OF THE ARMS OF THE CHAIRS AND WHEREBY TO ELEVATE THE TABLE TOP WITH RESPECT TO THE ARMS FOR LEVELING THE TABLE TOP AND SUPPLEMENTAL WEDGE DEVICES SLIDABLY FIXED WITHIN THE FORWARD ENDS OF THE CHANNELS TO ENGAGE THE FORWARD PORTIONS OF THE ARMS FOR AN ADDITIONAL LEVELING OF THE TABLE TOP, THE SAID WEDGE DEVICES BEING PROVIDED WITH BOLTS THAT EXTEND THROUGH SLOTS FORMED IN ONE FLANGE OF EACH OF THE CHANNELS, THE BOLTS AT THEIR OUTER ENDS BEING THREADED FOR THE RECEPTION OF A WING NUT AND WHEREBY THE WEDGES MAY BE LOCKED IN THEIR WEDGING ENGAGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE ARMS. 